A HERBALIST is opening a clinic in South Cheshire offering alternative medicine.

Therapist Agnes Borbely, of Radnor Close at Elworth, hopes her natural therapies will help people looking for alternatives to conventional medicine.

The 55-year-old is embarking on a childhood ambition of exploring herbal remedies to treat people after she qualified as a herbalist. She is opening a treat-ment room in Welles Street, Sand-bach, later this month.

Hungarian-born Agnes moved to Cheshire in 1973 and lived in Wilmslow before moving to Sand-bach three years ago. She said: 'When I was growing up my grandmother used to walk me to church. Along the walk she would be pointing to different herbs and plants.

'She would say what they did and how good they were for you. I was fascinated and wanted to learn more. As I grew up I tried some of them and discovered they are magic.'

Mrs Borbely is advocating the use of herbal medicine and said it is becoming a more widely accepted form of medication.

She added: 'Herbal remedies have not got the side effects of other medication. They may also be more readily available than surgery which can have a long waiting list. While people are waiting for treatment, herbalists might be able to help reduce the pain.

'Herbal remedies are even accepted by some GP's. I was surprised to find my GP in Sandbach was suggesting certain herbs to help the menopause.'

Herbalists help people who suffer from a variety of ailments, including fevers, depression, stomach problems, aches and pains, wounds and headaches.

Mrs Borbely believes people using homeopathic medicines need to be cautious. She added: 'A lot of people take herbs for different things in capsule form. The problem is they don't always know what they are taking and could be harming themselves. You need to see someone with the knowledge and responsibility to advise you and understand that remedies should be combined with a good diet and healthy lifestyle.'